Legal Question in Wills and Trusts in California

Re: name change

Thanks for your posting. To legally change your name, you should have a court order granted, after a petition is filed for a name change, and then use the court's order to change your official name on social security, driver's license, passport, and other documents.

If this is related to a divorce, your dissolution agreement can serve as the court order. If not, you must file a name change petition with your local court, which you can do yourself, or an attorney can handle for you.

If you have questions, or if you'd like for my firm to handle this task for you, please call me at 1-877-568-2977, or email me. Thanks!

Re: name change

you file a petition in the superior court. any lawyer can do it for $500 or you can do it yourself if you want.

Re: name change

There are two ways--start using the new name, or get a court order changing your name. The court order is not difficult in California--check with your local court to see if they have the forms and instructions. If you do need a lawyer, it probably wouldn't cost more than $500-700, plus filing fees and publication of notice costs.

Re: name change

There are forms available on this site under "find forms", then in the left-hand column under name change. Usually it is best to have an attorney fill out the forms, just to be sure that everything is done correctly.